We've been looking for a reliable, quality manufacturer of "dyed" leather covers for the Seven Seas Writer and Standard notebooks, and finally found Herz of Japan, a Tokyo-based manufacturer with an astounding variety of leather goods produced by in-house artisans. Herz agreed to custom-fit these for our notebooks.
Herz is known for their high qualilty hides, complex designs (e.g. briefcases, wallets, randoseru, etc.) detailed craftsmanship and signature wide stitching. These covers, although simple, are equal in execution to the Gfeller covers that we also offer. The difference is that Gfeller utilizes only natural, undyed vegetable-tanned products, while Herz uses vegetable-tanned, aniline-dyed Italian skins. The texture ranges from "wrinkled" to smooth, with many variations in-between and even on the same cover.
Please note that these do not have the extra-long inner flap utilized in the Gfeller covers, but the minimal "Writer's Bump", if it is an issue, can be eliminated with a writing mat if necessary. The leather "weight" is comparable to that used in the Gfeller covers (about 2 oz leather). They fit the Seven Seas Writer and Seven Seas Standard notebooks perfectly, and can also be used on thinner A5 books like the Midori, Life and Apica.
Showing reviews 1-10 of 31 | Next
Posted by Carol on 14th Dec 2022
I just received this cover in A5. The leather is so soft--just amazing. The stitching looks good and it fits my Micro Dot journal perfectly. Thank you Nanami!
Posted by Les Bollinger on 19th Aug 2021
I finally decided to get this cover (in black) and I couldn't be happier. It feels rich and supple, and it fits my Writer A5 Journal like a glove.
Posted by Unknown on 4th Jan 2020
Excellent quality leather with accurate cutting and sewing. Fits the Tomoe River Notebooks perfectly.
Posted by David Williams on 27th Aug 2019
The dark brown HERZ cover for my A5 arrived carefully packaged in short order. It was a joy to fit it to my Seven Seas Writer. As others have noted it is a snug fit and takes a bit of gentle fiddling to get it on, but it's not that difficult if I can do it. Definitely a quality product and perfect for the journal. Is the bump an issue? I am too far into the journal to be able to answer that question. It just looks, feels, and smells perfect.
Posted by Jonathan Vreeland on 25th Aug 2019
The cover is beautifully made, fits the notebook absolutely perfectly. The leather has a very pleasant aroma upon opening, and even now after a couple weeks of use it has retained it to some degree, which I enjoy a great deal. Excwllent quality product. Oh, the inner flap holding the cover of the notebook does not go all the way to the binding, which for maybe 10 pages or so there will be a bump you can feel. I did not find it to be at all a problem whatsoever.
Posted by Jon on 19th Aug 2019
When I purchased my Seven Seas Micro-Dot notebook, I quickly realized a cover that matched the elegance and quality of the notebook was needed to protect it from the elements as well as my own occasional clumsiness. I chose the Herz Black A5 cover, as most of my writing accessories are also black, and black goes with most everything and always looks great. The cover arrived in a sturdy outer shipping box, with a gift box within suitable for gift wrapping. Within that was the cover wrapped in brown kraft paper in a sort of "obi" style protective wrapping, holding within the cover which is itself in a plastic sleeve. The cover has a very distinctive smell, which I quite like, but may be less pleasant to some depending on their preferences. The fit and finish of the cover is absolutely perfect. Clearance for the notebook cover is about a scant millimeter on all sides, or less. Stitching is done with very nice sturdy thread in a straight stitch on the outside (or show side) of the leather, and a beautiful cable lock-stitch on the inner side. All in all, this cover is a top of the line product made to the highest of standards and the craftspeople who make it obviously take a great deal of pride in the work they do. I cannot recommend this cover highly enough. One question I have though, there is an information card in the sleeve pocket of the cover, but it is written in Japanese. I was wondering if there is any way to get an idea of what it says? I would greatly appreciate that. Many thanks, Nanami paper is great and has the fastest turnaround and service ever.
Posted by Jam DC on 2nd Aug 2019
Already have HERZ in the B6 slim size, which is lovely, but for some reason, the A5 size is actually a little nicer in terms of fit, compared to the B6 slim, perhaps overall a little nicer IMO just in terms of the impression it gives. Something about having this kind of texture of leather on an A5 with this kind of fit makes me want to buy another A5 HERZ cover.
Posted by Oleh on 10th Jun 2019
Any chance to get this available again? Please)) It is simply the best..
Posted by Garrett on 11th Sep 2018
Fits the Seven Seas A5 notebooks perfectly, looks great, and feels nice and supple in hand. I especially like it with the older notebook versions that had a more flexible cover and bookmarks attached. Overall a great addition to an already fantastic notebook.
Posted by Edwin on 23rd Aug 2018
I have no choice but echo what has already been said about this beautiful cover. It is beautifully executed in a way that it is a pleasure to see and touch.
It fits perfectly on the notebooks. Aesthetically, the journal it covers looks exquisitely on the desk with this on.
However, the whole things enhances the experience of using your notebooks 100%. It invites you to spend some time in your writing. And when you lift it, you are welcomed with a very soft surface. However, the cover adds heft to the book, such that it feels as though you are carrying something important and of substance.
Unrelated to the product, but very much worth mentioning it is the equally beautiful service provided by Nanami Paper. Everything is so well packaged that it is always a pleasure to open the goods.
Showing reviews 1-10 of 31 | Next